It's all about inclusion - video coverage of the N. Ontario Provincials

Thunder Bay's Nerwswatch TV programshowed a segment on the Northern Ontario Provincials, won by the Ficek rink.

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It's all about inclusion, says Dave Kawahara, the driving force behind getting wheelchair established in Northern Ontario.

Sudbury skip Steve Daniel

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Rookie skip Steve Daniels, an eloquent new voice for the sport, explained: "In Northern Ontario it's very tough to get out in the winter for people with disabilities. So to be able to come out and partake in curling is great for the sport aspect but also for the social aspect and .. I think it's making a big impact in the community."

News from Northern Ontario

Wayne Ficek braced by Chester Draper
[photo - 2009 - Ian Readey]

Ten curlers and four coaches attended the CCA's Development Camp in Thunder Bay the week before Christmas. Fort William Coach Dave Kawahara reports that it gave "quite a boost" to everyone attending.

He was especially appreciative of the opportunity to hear the responses of people with the experience of Wendy Morgan, Daryl Neighbour and Laura Farres to the same questions that have been asked of the everyday coaches like himself.  "The in-class sessions were very interactive and excellent questions and responses flowed. It was a very successful camp," he said.

Four teams are expected to compete in the N. Ontario Provincials at the Fort William CC in Thunder Bay, February 25-27. Sudbury has formed a team of athletes with experience in other disciplines, who Wayne Ficek, reigning provincial champion, feels will be strong competitors once they gain more on-ice experience.

The title this year, though, is expected to be a contest between two-time champions Team Ficek representing Kenora (though two of the team live in Dryden) and Thunder Bay's Carl Levesque who skipped a selected N. Ontario team at the 2008 Nationals.

Team Ficek, after claiming 4th place in 2009, went 3-6 last March. "As under achievers last year I expect if I can get back to the Nationals that only a play off position would be tolerable this year," Wayne told me today.

Fort William CC now has an elevator to the bar

Terry Lynch uses the new elevator at Fort William CC
Photo - Jeff Labine

Dave Kawahara and Dave Forester get the credit for starting the process that raised $370,000 for the elevator project. Wheelchair user and club member Terry Lynch told TBNewswatch.com that curling is 10 per cent on the ice and 90 per cent social.

"I’m now a full member of the club," Lynch said. "I was always a member but now…when there is a function or event or send off of a team, I can now participate in them and be fully involved."

“There are not a lot of curling clubs across the province that are 100 per cent accessible,” said MPP Michael Gravelle told The Chronicle-Journal. “They basically raised the standard of what they can do.”

Read the article's by Jeff Labine and Graham Strong on the Grand Opening.